7 days ago
Fleeing suspect released pitbull from kennel during foot pursuit in south Bakersfield: police
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Bakersfield police came to a home in the 3300 block of Margalo Court 8:35 p.m. Tuesday night for reports of someone violating a restraining order.
Officers say they made contact with the suspect identified as 26-year-old Marion Delouth III, in front of the home, but he fled into the backyard and released a large pitbull from its kennel. Fearing for their safety, an officer shot the dog after they say it aggressively charged at them.
The dog was wrapped in a white bed sheet and put in the back of pickup. Delouth was arrested and booked on charges of assaulting an officer.
No one else was hurt.
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Sergeant Eric Celedon with Bakersfield Police Department released a statement to 17 News saying, 'For clarification, discharging a firearm by an officer at a dog is not considered an 'officer-involved-shooting', as defined by law.'
17 News went to the home to speak with the dog owner who was still in tears from the incident. She told 17 News his name is Mojo, a three-year-old American Bulldog she got for her boys while they were still playing football.
The boys moved out, and Mojo became her baby.
The dog owners have demanded answers from police to know why a taser or mace wasn't used instead of a gun.
Mojo's owners declined to go on camera because they said it won't change anything.
At last report, Mojo was transported to a veterinarian hospital where he's undergoing treatment for his injuries.
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